United Nations A/69/185

General Assembly Distr.: General 24 July 2014

Original: English

Sixty-ninth session Item 81 of the provisional agenda* Consideration of effective measures to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives

Consideration of effective measures to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives

Report of the Secretary-General

Summary Seven States submitted reports, pursuant to paragraph 10 of General Assembly resolution 67/94, by the established deadline (see section II of the present report). Five views were received from States pursuant to paragraph 12 of General Assembly resolution 67/94 (see section III). Fourteen additional States became participants to the instruments relevant to the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives (see section IV) since the previous report (A/67/126) on the topic.

* A/69/150.

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I. Introduction

1. On 14 December 2012, the General Assembly adopted resolution 67/94, entitled “Consideration of effective measures to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives”. Paragraphs 10, 12 and 13 of the resolution read as follows: “The General Assembly, … “10. Urges: (a) All States to report to the Secretary-General, in a concise and expeditious manner and in accordance with the guidelines prepared by the Secretary-General, serious violations of the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives as well as missions and representatives with diplomatic status to international intergovernmental organizations; (b) The State in which the violation took place — and, to the extent possible, the State where the alleged offender is present — to report to the Secretary-General, in a concise and expeditious manner and in accordance with the guidelines prepared by the Secretary-General, on measures taken to bring the offender to justice and eventually to communicate, in accordance with its laws, the final outcome of the proceedings against the offender, and to report on measures adopted with a view to preventing a repetition of such violations; … “12. Also requests the Secretary-General to invite States, in the circular note referred to in paragraph 11 (a) above, to inform him of their views with respect to any measures needed or already taken to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives as well as missions and representatives with diplomatic status to international intergovernmental organizations; “13. Further requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its sixty-ninth session a report containing: (a) Information on the state of ratification of and accessions to the instruments referred to in paragraph 8 above; (b) A summary of the reports received and views expressed pursuant to paragraphs 10 and 12 above.” 2. By notes dated 2 January 2013 and 10 March 2014, the Secretary-General drew the attention of States to the request contained in paragraph 10 (a) of resolution 67/94 and invited them to report to the Secretary-General serious violations of the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives. 3. The present report has been prepared pursuant to paragraph 13 of resolution 67/94.

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4. Section II of the report contains a summary of the reports received and the text of those reports relevant to paragraph 10 of the resolution. 5. Section III of the report contains the views expressed pursuant to paragraph 12 of the resolution. 6. Section IV of the report contains information on the status of participation of States, as at 10 June 2014, in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961,1 the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963,2 and the respective optional protocols thereto, as well as the 1973 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agents.3

II. Reports received from States pursuant to paragraph 10 of General Assembly resolution 67/94

7. Saudi Arabia (4 January 2013) reported on the measures taken against the offenders that participated in the attempt to attack the Consulate of the Syrian Arab Republic in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (14 August 2012) and on the attack on the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Syrian Arab Republic (12 November 2011): On 14 August 2012 [sic], two Syrian nationals (Radwan Ibrahim Ismail and Talhah Ibrahim Ismail) attempted to break into the Syrian Consulate in Jeddah, were stopped by members of the diplomatic security, and were arrested. An investigation was started by the Saudi Arabian police regarding the incident. Moreover, attached to this report is a letter (#107/2011 dated 14 August 2012 [sic]) presented by the Syrian Consulate in Jeddah to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, showing its high appreciation of the efforts of the Saudi diplomatic security personnel and their prompt response. With further reference, the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations would like to report an attack that took place on the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Syrian Arab Republic on 12 November 2011. An angry mob surrounded the Embassy’s building in Damascus, lobbing it with stones. The Syrian Diplomatic Security did little to stop them when they breached the perimeter of the Embassy’s building. The attackers proceeded to tamper with the contents of the Embassy and the symbols of the Kingdom. They remained in the building for a considerable amount of time, before the Syrian security forces interfered and evicted them. The Government of Saudi Arabia wishes that this report and its attachment be circulated to all Member States and be included in the upcoming report on the agenda item titled “Consideration of effective measures to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives.” Moreover, and in accordance with subparagraph 11 (d) of General Assembly resolution 65/30, we kindly request … to address a reminder to the Permanent Mission of the Syrian Arab Republic to present a

______1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 500, No. 7310. 2 Ibid., vol. 596, No. 8638. 3 Ibid., vol. 1035, No. 15410.

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report on the measures taken to bring the offenders in the attack on our Embassy in Damascus to justice. Consulate General of the Syrian Arab Republic Jeddah Ref: 107/2011 Date: 14 August 2011 The Consulate General of the Syrian Arab Republic in Jeddah presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the fraternal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Department of Mecca region, and, further to its notes Nos. 96 and 98 of 31 July 2011 and 7 August 2011, respectively, has the honour to inform it that at 1 p.m. on 14 August 2011, two Syrian citizens, Radwan Ibrahim Ismail and Talha Ibrahim Ismail, a copy of whose resident’s permits are attached, burst into the petitioners’ room of the Consulate and smashed the portrait of President Bashar Al-Assad. They also assaulted two employees of the Consulate General, vilifying and abusing the Presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic. The Consulate General greatly appreciates the efforts exerted by the members of the diplomatic security corps who responded immediately, dealt with the incident and arrested the perpetrators; nevertheless, it hopes that the measures necessary to increase the security of the Consulate and the residence of the Consul General will continue to be taken. It would also appreciate being informed of the outcome of the investigation into that incident, as well as of the outcome of the investigations into the earlier incidents that were the subject of the notes referred to above. 8. Saudi Arabia (26 February 2013) further provided additional information regarding the measures taken against the offenders that participated in the attempt to attack the Consulate of the Syrian Arab Republic in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as well as reported attacks that took place on Saudi diplomatic posts worldwide (from 2007 through 15 November 2012): Further to the Ministry’s initial cable No. 9/4/85468, dated 22/03/1434 A.H., on the exposure of the Syrian Consulate in Jeddah to an attack and attempt to break through, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a cable from the Ministry of Interior stating the following: On 08/09/1433 A.H., the Al-Sharafeya Police Station received a letter from the Syrian Consulate stating that Ali Abdullah Al-Khidr (Syrian national) threatened to burn the Consulate’s building. This letter was forwarded to the competent authorities, and the investigation was concluded by non-indictment for insufficient evidence and consequently the charge was dropped. On 6/1/1433 A.H., Moustafa Azmi Alguendh (Syrian national) went to the Consulate and committed an act of assault and verbal insults. This person was transferred to the competent [authorities]. The charges were dropped in return for a commitment from the accused to not repeat his behaviour. On 25/2/1433 A.H., the Al-Sharafeya Police Station of the Governorate of Jeddah received a letter from the Syrian Consulate in Jeddah stating that Ahmed Mohamed Barakat, Sharaf Mohamed Barakat and Nassar Fawzi Suleiman (Syrian nationals) assaulted, battered, cursed and smacked an

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employee of the Consulate called Emad Al-Mullah Faraj. They were transferred to the competent authorities. In addition, a note was sent to the Syrian Consulate asking for the deposition of the Consulate’s employees about the incident. However, to date, no one has contacted the police in that regard. On 17/10/1433 A.H., Mohammed Khalid Mohammed Kindu, Abdul Rahman Jamal Yassin and Yahya Ahmed Al-Khatib (Syrian nationals) wrote on the outside wall of the Syrian Consulate a phrase saying “Leave Bashar”. They were transferred to competent authorities for investigation. The judgement was to release them after having their commitment to not repeat their actions. On 29/10/1433 A.H., the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ branch in Makkah received a note from the Syrian Consulate stating that an individual named Mohamed Rizieq called the Consulate’s official phone number from his mobile phone and asked to speak to the Consul General. He then attacked the Consul with obscene terms and insults, and verbally intimidated the Consul, mentioning also the Consulate and the Syrian State. The deposition of Mohamed Rizieq was heard by the Asir Region’s police, as the accused lives in the region of Abha; and the case was referred to the competent authorities. On 14/3/1434 A.H., the Al-Sharafeya Police Station received a letter from the Syrian Consulate stating that Mohamed Ihsan Zahra (Syrian national) had directly attacked the Consulate staff and had beaten one of the employees, then headed towards the picture of the President of the Republic on the wall and tried to bring it down and destroy it. Moreover, they mentioned in their letter that Zahra was motivated by his colleague Mohamed Amer Omar Al-Sagh (Syrian national). Both were transferred to the competent authorities. In addition, a written note was sent to the Syrian Consulate asking for the deposition of the assaulted Consulate’s employees about the incident. However, to date, no plaintiff has contacted the police in that regard. With further reference, the Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations would like to report on attacks that took place on Saudi diplomatic posts worldwide from 2007 through 15 November 2012 (see the attached table, as translated from cable No. 5/5/68090 dated 4/3/1434 A.H.).

Table of assaults on Saudi diplomatic posts and persons worldwide

Diplomatic post/Diplomat Location of post Date of assault Type of assault

Consulate Building Mashhad, Iran (Islamic 2007 Wall collision Republic of) Consulate Building Mashhad, Iran (Islamic 2007 Theft of outside Republic of) camera

Embassy and Consulate Tehran, Iran (Islamic 2007 Threat via fax Buildings Republic of) Mr. Sultan AlSahli Caracas, Venezuela 29 July 2007 Abduction (Bolivian Republic of)

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Diplomatic post/Diplomat Location of post Date of assault Type of assault

Embassy Building Cara cas, Venezuela 2 May 2008 Attempted (Bolivian Republic of) robbery Mr. Ali AlQahtani Caracas, Venezuela 21 April 2009 Abduction (Bolivian Republic of) Mr. Hilan Bin Lubdah Caracas, Venezuela 27 April 2009 Abduction (Bolivian Republic of) Consulate Building Mashhad, Iran (Islamic 21 November 2009 Assault with Republic of) (2) explosive materials

Mr. Ghazi Althahri Tehran, Iran (Islamic 16 March 2010 Assault Republic of) Mr. Hamoud Alasmari Tehran, Iran (Islamic 16 March 2010 Assault Republic of) Mr. Rashid Alkhabrani Nairobi, Kenya 16 April 2010 Attempted abduction Mr. Mohammed Nairobi, Kenya 5 May 2010 Shooting Mahmoud Mohammed Mr. Alsayed Almalki Sana’a, Yemen 2 May 2010 Abduction

Mr. Dakhil Allah Mashhad, Iran (Islamic 6 July 2010 Car burning Almutrafi Republic of)

The Clinic at the Karachi, Pakistan 12 May 2011 Assault with Consulate explosive materials Mr. Hasan Algahtani Karachi, Pakistan 17 May 2011 Assassination

Mr. Mubarak Aldouseeri Mashhad, Iran (Islamic 7 June 2011 Assault Republic of) Mr. Mishaal Aljaeed Mashhad, Iran (Islamic 10 July 2011 House robbery Republic of) Consular residence Tehran, Iran (Islamic 31 August 2011 Harassment Republic of) Mr. Khaled Almalki Tehran, Iran (Islamic 2011 Harassment Republic of) Embassy Building Tehran, Iran (Islamic 9 September 2011 Gathered and Republic of) stoned The Consul General Mashhad, Iran (Islamic 28 September Harassment while Republic of) 2011 in vehicle

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Diplomatic post/Diplomat Location of post Date of assault Type of assault

The Ambassador Washington, D.C. 11 October 2011 Attempted assassination by vehicle explosion Mr. Nasir Bin Bitla Mashhad, Iran (Islamic 17 December 2011 Auto theft Republic of) Mr. Nasir Alharbi Mashhad, Iran (Islamic 9 June 2012 Assault Republic of) Embassy Building Damascus, Syrian Arab 12 November 2011 Intrusion on the Republic Embassy

Embassy Building Damascus, Syrian Arab 13 November 2011 Attack on the Republic Embassy Mr. Hadi Althiyabi Tehran, Iran (Islamic 10 December 2011 House robbery Republic of) Mr. Mohammed Khartoum, Sudan 1 January 2012 Verbal assault by Alasmari security personnel Mr. Saoud Althahrani Khartoum, Sudan 11 January 2012 Abducted Mr. Ayman Madeen Khartoum, Sudan 25 February 2012 Assaulted

Mr. Muhsan Alkaabi Khartoum, Sudan 25 February 2012 Assaulted

Mr. Ahmad Alshahri Khartoum, Sudan 25 February 2012 Assaulted

Mr. Ibrahim Alrasheedi Khartoum, Sudan 27 February 2012 Abducted and blackmailed Mr. Abeen Albiqmi Khartoum, Sudan 28 February 2012 Harassed at airport Mr. Khalf Alali Deka, Liberia 6 March 2012 Assassinated Mr. Mohammad Khartoum, Sudan 20 March 2012 Harassed and Alshamrani chased Mr. Fahas Aldrousi Amman, Jordan 22 March 2012 Threatened with weapons Mr. Abdallah Alkhaldi Adan, Yemen 28 March 2012 Abducted Mr. Sulayman Albadir Khartoum, Sudan 27 April 2012 Assaulted

Mr. Hasan Aljabri Khartoum, Sudan 12 May 2012 Harassed at airport Mr. Salem Almarzoogi Khartoum, Sudan 13 May 2012 Assaulted Mr. Hatat Alroueli Khartoum, Sudan 21 May 2012 Harassed

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Diplomatic post/Diplomat Location of post Date of assault Type of assault

Mr. Aldalziz Alnoufel Tunisia 17 June 2012 Assaulted

Sons of Mr. Salih Amman, Jordan 16 November 2012 Assaulted Alghadeer Mr. Khaled Alghadeer Sana’a, Yemen 28 November 2012 Assassinated

Mr. Faisal Alrasheed Amman, Jordan 11 December 2012 Assaulted

Mr. Sulayman Alolayan Amman, Jordan 11 December 2012 Assaulted

The Government of Saudi Arabia wishes to request that the present letter and its annex be circulated to all Member States as a document of the General Assembly under agenda item 81.4 Further to the Ministry’s initial cable No. 9/4/85468, dated 22/03/1434 A.H., on the exposure of the Syrian Consulate in Jeddah to an attack and attempt to break through, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a cable from the Ministry of the Interior stating that the attacks that occurred were carried out by Syrian nationals who were permitted admissions into the Consulate building. The Government of Saudi Arabia wishes to request that the present letter be circulated to all Member States as a document of the General Assembly under agenda item 81.5 9. Algeria (27 March 2013) reported the incident involving the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in Algiers (4 February 2012): On 4 February 2012, an incident took place at the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in Algiers, followed by threats against the Ambassador, diplomatic mission staff and families, and an Algerian staff member. On the date just mentioned, a group of 17 Syrian nationals gathered in front of the main entrance of the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in Algiers and attempted to storm the building. Police officers who were present intervened in order to disperse them and deny them access to the mission. A few moments later, the Embassy’s head of public relations approached with the information that three Syrian nationals had trespassed and removed the Syrian flag, replacing it with that of the opposition movement. The Syrian Consul, who was also on the premises, chose not to lodge a complaint immediately afterward without the authorization of the Syrian authorities. After police officers were transferred to Embassy headquarters, a senior official of the diplomatic mission stated that the Ambassador did not wish to lodge an official complaint, as an incident report was being sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic.

______4 A/67/759. 5 A/67/767.

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Finally, the police force of the prefecture of Algiers reported the incident to the Prosecutor of the Republic attached to the relevant court (in the town of Bir Mourad Rais). 10. The Syrian Arab Republic (17 April 2013) referred to information contained in document A/67/126/Add.1, which was provided on 17 May 2012 by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic (see para. 2 of the document) and to the two letters dated 26 February 2013 from the Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and circulated to Member States (documents A/67/759 and A/67/767, respectively) regarding the attacks on the Consulate of the Syrian Arab Republic in Jeddah as well as the incidents involving the Saudi Embassy in Damascus (in this connection, see also paras. 7 and 8 of the present report): … – On instructions from my Government, I refer to information contained in document A/67/126/Add.1, which was provided on 17 May 2012 by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic pursuant to paragraph 10 of General Assembly resolution 65/30. I write in response to the two letters dated 26 February 2013 from the Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and circulated to Member States (documents A/67/759 and A/67/767, respectively). I wish to draw your attention to the following information: – The letters from the Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia refer to only six of the repeated attacks on the Consulate of the Syrian Arab Republic in Jeddah. According to the letters, Saudi judicial proceedings ended in the release of the assailants owing to insufficient evidence or after they had pledged not to repeat their behaviour. The letters invoke the pretext that no statement was received from the employees of the Syrian Consulate who were attacked. – The measures taken by the competent authorities of Saudi Arabia — on the one hand, preventive action to protect the Syrian Consulate and guarantee the safety and security of its employees, and, on the other hand, the response aimed at prosecuting the assailants and preventing them from attacking again — are not proportionate with the nature or extent of the threat posed by the repeated attacks on the Syrian Consulate and its employees. The response to the attacks, which took place on a daily basis over a given period of time, was neither genuine nor sufficient. Nor was it consistent with two fundamental obligations arising from the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963), namely, that the receiving State shall take all appropriate steps to, first, protect the consular post against any disturbance of the peace or impairment of its dignity and, second, prevent any attack on the person or dignity of its employees (Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963), articles 31.3 and 40). Those principles are upheld in General Assembly resolution 67/94, which affirms that States should take adequate measures to prohibit illicit activities on their territories.

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– Despite having the relevant information, the Saudi authorities did not notify the Syrian side of the outcome of the investigations into the attacks. – The letter of the Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia states that Syrian consular employees in Jeddah or their representatives were summoned to make statements to the Saudi security authorities regarding the events. However, the two Vienna Conventions provide that individuals who enjoy diplomatic immunity shall not be compelled to give evidence. Indeed, that request is unjustified, as the memorandums sent by the Syrian Consulate in Jeddah to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs provide a detailed account of every attack and the names of the perpetrators, most of whom were caught in the act by Saudi diplomatic security officers. With regard to the two incidents involving the Saudi Embassy in Damascus, we should like to emphasize the following: – The Syrian Government met in full all its obligations with regard to the two incidents involving the Saudi Embassy in Damascus: the Syrian authorities provided protection for the Embassy and prevented any attack on it. The pertinent Syrian parties removed by force from the Embassy building those who had assaulted it and arrested the person who had pulled down the Saudi flag, handing him over to the Armus police department. Tear gas was used to disperse the crowd. The Saudi side was not informed of the outcome of the investigations because it has closed its Embassy and Consulate in Damascus. – The Syrian Government is committed to shouldering its international responsibilities under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The proper Syrian authorities have established a committee in order to establish, in consultation with the Saudi Embassy, the damage caused to the Saudi Embassy in Damascus; however, that Embassy has refused to cooperate with the Syrian authorities in that regard. – The proper Syrian authorities continue to meet their obligations under international law and provide protection for, and prevent any attacks on, the Saudi Embassy and Consulate in Damascus, albeit those offices have been closed. – Lastly, the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic confirms the information which it supplied to the Secretary-General of the United Nations on 17 May 2012 concerning the attack on the Syrian Consulate in Jeddah and would like to clarify, in that regard, that the note which the Syrian Consulate in Jeddah addressed to the relevant Saudi authorities, in which it expressed appreciation for the role played by the Saudi diplomatic security corps in the usual diplomatic terms, also included a request that the Saudi authorities should inform it of the outcome of the investigations into the attack on the Consulate. That request has not been met. – The Permanent Mission of the Syrian Arab Republic would be grateful if you would have the present letter circulated as a document of the General

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Assembly, under agenda item 81, and ensure that it is referenced in the report of the Secretary-General on that item.6 11. Saudi Arabia (23 January 2014) reported the following violation against a member of the Saudi Arabian diplomatic service in the Islamic Republic of Iran: The diplomatic agent, Yasser bin Mohammed Al-Qarni, attaché with the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Tehran who enjoys diplomatic immunity as a member of the mission, was involved in a motor vehicle accident on 14 March 2013. Mr. Qarni’s diplomatic immunity was violated by competent Iranian authorities, which subjected him to medical tests, inflamed public opinion against him, and continuously monitored his residence. When Mr. Qarni went to the airport about seven days after the mentioned accident, the Iranian authorities confiscated his diplomatic passport and informed him that he was banned from leaving the country and must contact the Foreign Affairs Department of the Iranian Foreign Ministry. The Iranian Foreign Ministry has refused to return Mr. Qarni’s diplomatic passport and insisted on revoking his diplomatic immunity. After vigorous attempts from the side of the Saudi Embassy in Tehran, and its persistence in maintaining the diplomatic immunity enjoyed by Mr. Al-Qarni, he was handed his passport after approximately two months from the incident, and was allowed to leave the Iranian territories on 24 September 2013. We would like to mention that all that Mr. Qarni endured, since the motor vehicle accident in which he was involved, constitutes a breach of the provisions of article 29 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and a clear violation of the diplomatic immunity to which the host country should be committed. 12. The Islamic Republic of Iran (27 January 2014) submitted the following information concerning incidents involving members of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Sana’a, Yemen (21 July 2013 and 18 January 2014) and the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Beirut, Lebanon (19 November 2013): On 21 July 2013, in the city of Sana’a, Yemen, Mr. Ahmad Nikbakht, a member of the staff of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Sana’a, was abducted by armed terrorists and moved to an unknown location. The identity of the terrorists is still unknown and they have made no contact after the abduction. In spite of the efforts to secure Mr. Nikbakht’s release from his armed kidnappers, no further development has occurred to date, which is a matter of serious concern for the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. A separate letter in this regard dated 13 August 2013 was already circulated as a document of the General Assembly (A/67/955). On 19 November 2013, a terrorist attack, organized and carried out by an extremist terrorist group linked to Al-Qaida, known and identified as Abdullah Azzam Brigades under the command of the deceased Majed al-Majed, a national of Saudi Arabia, targeted the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Beirut, Lebanon. This terrorist act claimed the lives of dozens of innocent Lebanese civilians and members of the staff of the Embassy, and damaged the surrounding areas, including the Iranian diplomatic premises in Beirut. The late Mr. Ebrahim Ansari, then cultural attaché of the Embassy, the wife of a diplomatic member and three local staff of the Embassy were among the ______6 A/67/843.

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victims. The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Beirut has been in close contact and cooperation with the Lebanese authorities to prevent the recurrence of such terrorist acts and bring the perpetrators to justice. It is worth mentioning that a press statement was issued by the Security Council on the same day to condemn the incident and to underline the need to bring the perpetrators to justice. On 18 January 2014, a heinous terrorist attack targeted a diplomatic member of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Sana’a, Yemen. This terrorist act claimed the life of Abolghassem Asadi, who was on his way back to the office. The Government of the Republic of Yemen has been duly notified of the serious concerns of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has asked the former to undertake its utmost efforts to prevent the recurrence of such atrocities by terrorists and bring the perpetrators to justice. The Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations wishes to request that the present letter be circulated as a document of the General Assembly under agenda item 81.7 13. Qatar (5 April 2013), the Philippines (2 May 2013) and Finland (15 May 2014) reported that there had been no violations on their respective territories during the reporting period.

III. Views expressed by States pursuant to paragraph 12 of General Assembly resolution 67/94

14. El Salvador (21 April 2014) expressed the following views: The Republic of El Salvador submits this report in reference to resolution 67/94, in which States were requested to submit their views with respect to “any measures needed or already taken to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives as well as missions and representatives with diplomatic status to international intergovernmental organizations”. With regard to the matter in question, the Republic of El Salvador, as a State party to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, stresses the importance of article 22.2 of that Convention, which states that: “The receiving State is under a special duty to take all appropriate steps to protect the premises of the mission against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity”. On the basis of that provision, El Salvador has procedures in place to ensure the protection of diplomatic and consular representatives. Generally, at the request of a diplomatic mission, international organization or their accredited officials in the country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Directorate-General of Protocol and Honours, is able to instruct the VIP Protection Division of the National Civil Police of El Salvador to provide round-the-clock protection. In addition, internal practice indicates that it is possible to apply to the VIP Protection Division directly for protection.

______7 A/69/64.

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As reported at previous sessions, the level of protection afforded may vary according to the specific requests made by diplomats or international organizations; however, it should be noted that the National Civil Police of El Salvador has the organizational structure in place to meet any needs that may arise. This is a key point, since guaranteeing the security and safety of diplomatic missions and their representatives is a duty of all States, with a view to ensuring that diplomats can carry out their functions effectively in the country in which they are accredited and, above all, guaranteeing respect for their human rights, including their right to life, to personal integrity and to freedom. To date, the records prove that all submitted requests have been met and that the requested security and protection measures were provided by the Salvadoran authorities. In addition, the National Civil Police has been made aware of all cases in which diplomats, their premises and international organizations have been the targets of crime, so that a proper investigation can be launched and any necessary legal action brought before the competent authorities. 15. Gabon (6 May 2014) expressed the following views: This contribution was prepared pursuant to paragraph 12 of General Assembly resolution 67/94, by which the Secretary-General invites States to inform him of their views on measures taken to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives with diplomatic status to international intergovernmental organizations. Owing to certain incidents that occurred in Gabon concerning the security and safety of diplomatic and consular staff as well as the inviolability of their property, it was imperative to reaffirm the principles of international law on diplomatic and consular relations and to establish new modalities for their application, in order to put an end to these violations. The Gabonese Government would first like to reaffirm the crucial importance of providing effective protection for diplomatic and consular staff in the conduct of international relations. The privileges and immunities enjoyed by diplomatic and consular staff and facilities provide a crucial safeguard against various challenges and pressures. Gabon is of the view that these privileges and immunities, which are designed to facilitate contact, are mutually beneficial to all States. In this regard, the obligation to ensure the personal security and safety of staff is of utmost importance to the Gabonese Government, which is now ready to participate in any efforts aimed at strengthening the right to protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular staff. Gabon is also of the view that host States must strictly observe and enforce the provisions of international law relating to diplomatic and consular relations, because they have a responsibility to protect diplomatic and consular staff and missions against any persons, groups or organizations that seek to threaten their security and safety.

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This message, which is endorsed by Gabon and is regularly reaffirmed by the international community, is a reminder of the absolute obligation that all States have to ensure that diplomatic and consular relations are free from pressures on both people and property. The contribution of Gabon to the Secretary-General’s report is based on an interministerial study led by a working group comprising experts from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the Interior and Defence, which has highlighted the urgent need to take measures to provide security for accredited diplomatic missions and consular posts in Gabon and their respective officials. This working group, co-chaired by the heads of the National Gendarmerie and the National Police Force, came to the conclusion that a security apparatus should be set up to protect diplomatic agents and premises. The security apparatus, which has already been adopted by the Council of Ministers, will be implemented gradually through short-, medium- and long- term measures. In the short term, a special security apparatus will be set up, whereby three agents on average will be posted to each site (chancellery and residence) in accordance with a pre-established set-up. The Government is aware, however, that additional security will be required for at-risk embassies. To ensure that this measure is effective, a coordination unit will be established to prepare monthly reports on the operation of the security apparatus. It will also organize meetings to raise awareness of the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, in order to facilitate interactions between staff and diplomatic personnel, and to ensure the implementation of security measures. A mechanism for timely and concerted communication between the three ministries will also be set up to ensure that investigations into any type of security threat to diplomatic and consular missions or their representatives are brought to a rapid conclusion. Two focal points will be designated by each ministry to implement the mechanism. In the medium and long term, the working group proposes to initiate discussions on the possibility of establishing special preventive security units, which could eventually be converted into a diplomatic police force. The group also suggests that an urban area be set aside exclusively for diplomatic and consular premises. 16. Finland (15 May 2014) expressed the following views: The Finnish authorities wish to assure the Secretary-General that they continue to take all appropriate measures to ensure the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives. Furthermore, Finland wishes to emphasize the importance of close cooperation in security matters not only at the international level, but also nationally between the missions and the competent local authorities.

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17. Qatar (5 April 2013), the Philippines (2 May 2013), El Salvador (21 April 2014), Gabon (6 May 2014) and Finland (15 May 2014) reported on the measures taken to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives as well as missions and representatives with diplomatic status to international intergovernmental organizations on their respective territories.8

IV. Status of participation in international conventions pertaining to the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives as at 10 June 2014

18. Each instrument listed below is represented in tables 1 and 2 by the letter shown on the left in the list. A. Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 (signed at Vienna on 18 April 1961; entered into force on 24 April 1964, in accordance with article 51); B. Optional Protocol to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations concerning Acquisition of Nationality of 1961 (signed at Vienna on 18 April 1961; entered into force on 24 April 1964, in accordance with article VI); C. Optional Protocol to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations concerning the Compulsory Settlement of Disputes of 1961 (signed at Vienna on 18 April 1961; entered into force on 24 April 1964); D. Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 (signed at Vienna on 24 April 1963; entered into force on 19 March 1967, in accordance with article 77); E. Optional Protocol to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations concerning Acquisition of Nationality of 1963 (signed at Vienna on 24 April 1963; entered into force on 19 March 1967); F. Optional Protocol to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations concerning the Compulsory Settlement of Disputes of 1963 (signed at Vienna on 24 April 1963; entered into force on 19 March 1967); G. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agents, of 1973 (adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 14 December 1973; entered into force on 20 February 1977).

______8 For the relevant parts of the reports, see the website of the Sixth Committee of the General Assembly (www.un.org/ga/sixth): sixty-ninth session; “Consideration of effective measures to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives”; full texts of the replies.

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Table 1 Total participation in international conventions pertaining to the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives

Signature, succession to signature

A B C D E F G 60 18 29 48 19 38 25

Ratification, accession or succession

A B C D E F G 190 51 69 177 40 50 176

Table 2 Status of participation in international conventions pertaining to the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives

Signature, succession to signature Ratification, accession or succession

State A B C D E F G A B C D E F G

Afghanistan A G

Albania A A D G

Algeria A D G Andorra A D G

Angola A D

Antigua and Barbuda D G Argentina A B D F A B D G

Armenia A D G

Australia A D G A C D F G Austria A C D F A C D F G

Azerbaijan A D G

Bahamas A C D G Bahrain A D G

Bangladesh A D G

Barbados A D G Belarus A G A D G

Belgium A C D F A B C D E F G

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Signature, succession to signature Ratification, accession or succession

State A B C D E F G A B C D E F G

Belize A D G

Benin D F A D G

Bhutan A D G Bolivia (Plurinational D A D G State of) Bosnia and Herzegovina E F A B C D G

Botswana A B C D E F G

Brazil A D E A D G

Brunei Darussalam A D G

Bulgaria A G A C D E F G Burkina Faso D F A D F G

Burundi A G

Cambodia A B C D G Cameroon D E F A D G

Canada A G A D G

Cabo Verde A D G

Central African Republic A B C D F A B C G

Chad A

Chile A D F A D G China A D G

Colombia A C D E F A D G

Comoros A G Congo D E F A

Cook Islands

Costa Rica A D A C D G Côte d’Ivoire D F A G

Croatia A D G

Cuba A D A D G

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Signature, succession to signature Ratification, accession or succession

State A B C D E F G A B C D E F G

Cyprus A D G

Czech Republic A D G

Democratic People’s A D G Republic of Korea Democratic Republic of A D E F A B C D G the Congo Denmark A B C D E F G A B C D E F G

Djibouti A D G Dominica A C D G

Dominican Republic A B C D E F A B C D E F G

Ecuador A C D G A C D G Egypt A B D E G

El Salvador A D G

Equatorial Guinea A D G Eritrea A D

Estonia A B C D E F G

Ethiopia A G Fiji A C D G

Finland A B C D E F G A B C D E F G

France A C D F A C D F G Gabon D F A B C D E F G

Gambia A D

Georgia A D G Germany A B C D E F G A B C D E F G

Ghana A B C D E F A D E G

Greece A A D G Grenada A D G

Guatemala A G A D G

Guinea A B C D G

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Signature, succession to signature Ratification, accession or succession

State A B C D E F G A B C D E F G

Guinea -Bissau A G

Guyana A D G

Haiti A D G Holy See A D A D G

Honduras A D G

Hungary A G A C D F G Iceland G A B C D E F G

India A B C D E F G

Indonesia A B D E Iran (Islamic Republic of) A B C D A B C D E F G

Iraq A B C A B C D E G

Ireland A C D F A D G Israel A C D A G

Italy A B C D E F G A B C D E F G

Jamaica A D G

Japan A C A C D F G

Jordan A D G

Kazakhstan A D G Kenya A B C D E F G

Kiribati A D G

Kuwait D E F A C D G Kyrgyzstan A D G

Lao People’s Democratic A B C D E F G Republic

Latvia A D G Lebanon A B C D F A D G

Lesotho A D G

Liberia A D E F A B C D G

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Signature, succession to signature Ratification, accession or succession

State A B C D E F G A B C D E F G

Libya A B D G

Liechtenstein A C D F A C D F G

Lithuania A C D F G Luxembourg A C D F A C D F G

Madagascar A B C D E F G

Malawi A B C D E F G Malaysia A B C D G

Maldives A D G

Mali A D G Malta A C D G

Marshall Islands A D G

Mauritania A D G Mauritius A C D F G

Mexico A D A D F G

Micronesia (Federated A D G States of)

Monaco A D G

Mongolia G A D G

Montenegro E F A B C D G Morocco A B D E G

Mozambique A D G

Myanmar A B D G Namibia A D

Nauru A C D E G

Nepal A B C D E F G Netherlands A B C D E F G

New Zealand A C A B C D E F G

Nicaragua G A B C D E F G

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Signature, succession to signature Ratification, accession or succession

State A B C D E F G A B C D E F G

Niger D F A B C D E F G

Nigeria A A D G

Niue G Norway A B C D E F G A B C D E F G

Oman A B C D E F G

Pakistan A A C D F G Palau G

Panama A D E F A B C D E F G

Papua New Guinea A D G Paraguay G A B C D E F G

Peru D F A D F G

Philippines A B C D F A B C D E F G Poland A D G A D G

Portugal A D G

Qatar A D G

Republic of Korea A B C A B C D E F G

Republic of Moldova A D G

Romania A G A C D F G Russian Federation A G A D G

Rwanda G A D G

Saint Kitts and Nevis A D G Saint Lucia A D G

Saint Vincent and the A D G Grenadines

Samoa A D San Marino A A

Sao Tome and Principe A D G

Saudi Arabia A D G

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Signature, succession to signature Ratification, accession or succession

State A B C D E F G A B C D E F G

Senegal A B A D E F G

Serbia E F A B C D G

Seychelles A C D F G Sierra Leone A G

Singapore A D G

Slovakia A C D F G Slovenia A C D G

Solomon Islands

Somalia A D South Africa A A D G

South Sudan

Spain A C D F G Sri Lanka A A B C D G

State of Palestine A D

Sudan A D G

Suriname A B C D E F

Swaziland A G

Sweden A B C D E F G A B C D E F G Switzerland A C D F A B C D E F G

Syrian Arab Republic A D G

Tajikistan A D G Thailand A B A B D E G

The former Yugoslav A B C D G Republic of Macedonia

Timor-Leste A D Togo A D G

Tonga A D G

Trinidad and Tobago A D G

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Signature, succession to signature Ratification, accession or succession

State A B C D E F G A B C D E F G

Tunisia G A B D E G

Turkey A D G

Turkmenistan A D G Tuvalu A D

Uganda A G

Ukraine A G A D G United Arab Emirates A D G

United Kingdom of A C D F G A C D F G Great Britain and Northern Ireland United Republic of A B C A B C D Tanzania United States of America A C D G A C D G

Uruguay A D F A D G

Uzbekistan A D G Vanuatu D

Venezuela (Bolivarian A D A D G Republic of) Viet Nam A D G Yemen A D G

Zambia A

Zimbabwe A D

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